Horses have always been my passion. Horse shows were a part of our lives. My Dad was a good Horseman, people still say he could match horses with the right people. I like to think he had a helping hand in bringing Charlie in to my life. Charlie was an answered prayer. My daughter decided she wanted to barrel race. We started with a mare that was owned by a friend. They taught each other, it was an instant friendship. They did well together. After a few years of showing the mare our friend decided he wanted her for a brood mare. After several offers, he would not sell her to me. My heart was broken, and a little angry too. I knew when the show season started back some how, some way, we had to be ready. We needed a barrel horse! I read an ad for a horse that seemed to be just what I was looking for, except price and the horses age. I put it away and kept looking. I found myself going back to that same ad, I called and I'm so glad I did. I had found my daughter a great horse to show, but also the best equine companion I ever had.We went to "just look", I told my mother "I hope he's a big sorrel with three white socks and a blaze. When we arrived, there he stood a big ole sorrel with all the chrome. The way he floated around those barrels was amazing. The other amazing thing, was the love his owner had for him( now I know why). We discussed price, she had priced him high to ensure she would only deal with people who were serious! Her main concern was a good home. Although she came down on the price, it was still more than I could really afford. But I wanted him, and just had that feeling he belonged with us. I could tell it was hard for her to let him go. I promised her he would be with me till the day he died. The trip back home I tried to figure out what bills would have to go unpaid till later. When we went back to get Charlie, his owner had tears in her eyes, I cried too. My daughter was trying to reassure her and said" Mom takes better care of the horses than she does me". Show season finally came. Santa Clause had brought new tack, it was their time to shine. They didn't always take first place, but was a team that was always noticed, and made the others a little nervous. She and Charlie won ribbons, and a trophy buckle that was treated like a national title. In his later years Charlie was turned out with some older mares and their babies. He was the babysitter. Late one afternoon, and much too soon for me Charlie's life ended. He was 22, and had traveled many miles. I had tried to prepare myself for this but there is no way to do that. I had always hoped and prayed I would never have to make a decision about his life, once again my prayers were answered. There is an old arena near my house, no shows or rodeos held there anymore, but we went to have fun and make a few turns around the barrels. He was fun to ride. I wouldn't let him run, although he wanted too. Before I could get the saddle off of him, he fell dead at my feet. No warning anything was wrong. I could not seem to face what was happening to him. I was helpless! I find comfort knowing he left this world doing something he loved. If I had not decided to take him for a ride that day, he may have never got the chance to be in an arena again. He was a show and rodeo horse, thats where he belonged. He also gave me the chance to ride in that old arena I showed in as a kid. Thinking back, he was well worth every penney, and then some. In his last years, he got all the extra special care he deserved. Along with answered prayers, I was able to keep my promise to the girl I got him from.